Natural Stones Boost Exterior of Homes

Splendid looks marked with perfect cutting of natural stones.

Homes have an emotional importance to the person. People love to adorn it with different materials like stones, wood and paints. Natural stones play an important role in harnessing home exteriors. We discuss different stones in this article. Our approach is to accustom you with Natural Stones and their uses.

Flag stone: These are durable, versatile and do not split or crack under extreme weather conditions. These are used to beautify home exteriors. People use flag stone to landscape garden areas, walkways, patios and more. These natural stones provide a timeless look to the place they are engraved. Different type of flag stones are used to embellish the sights. these include slate, limestone, travertine and bluestone. These are available in different colors and shape as per customer choice.

Stepping step: Some natural stones are in the form of granite, limestone and sandstone. Stepping step enables house owner to create beautiful exteriors for their homes. Stepping steps keep the house clean during rains and storms. These beautify the place. Natural stones are engraved at a particular distance. It promotes easy walking and planting grass in between. Walk safely and beautify your garden. Light colored stepping steps appeal to eyes.

Circles: Green sandstone is particularly used to create design in circles. these are cut and shaped in perfect manner to create a circular design in the garden. However, the space should be large enough to showcase natural stone properly. a perfect circle surrounded by quadrilateral shaped sandstones are fixed.

Other landscaping natural stones used to boost home exteriors are Kerbstone, Palisades, Crazy Pave Steps/ risers and more.

Walling stones: Exterior walls are engraved with stones. These stones are rectangular in shape and form an exquisite pattern on the walls. House owners are at discretion to choose same colored stones. They have an option to choose different colored stones for shaded look. Wall cladding is an expensive deal. It is chosen to steal admirable looks from onlookers.

Natural stones offer no maintenance deal to house owners. The one-time investment creates timeless masterpiece.

Roofing slate: Make your home fire resistant. Induce a never-fading property to your roofs. Roofing slate looks beautiful on slanting roofs. These are available as black, green and charcoal slate. Multicolor roofing slates add color to roofs. Natural stones provide a matchless look and high quality feel. These are environment friendly and cost effective. There is no need for special maintenance.

The Process for Atlanta Roofing

The roofing process in Atlanta gets very exciting with all sorts of roofing styles. Roofing in Atlanta is extremely trendy and comes in metals as well as asphalt. Metal roofing is very popular and keeps the temperature inside warm. Consult your architecture to delineate the best design you would like to have to give an upgrading to your roof structure. Get the best out of full house roofing that you can dream of through the highly regarded Atlanta roof manufacturer.

One can have these shingles used in as many styles as possible. There are tile shingles and wonderful skylights to experiment with to make your home the most wonderful haven that you would delight upon! Skylights give you that edge of classy look to your roofs and you can enjoy introducing them into your home spreading light and space.

Roofs get wonderful turning of art with the architectural shingles that are widely used. There are many companies which provide you complete roofing solutions and even provide you the perfect architectures to consult with. There are many such companies widely acclaimed in Atlanta and its beautiful neighborhood. These are one of the venues through which Atlanta roofing is kept beautiful and pristine. They even give you services in vital forms such as emergency roof repairs, revamping and replacement of tiles. Installations and new roof structures can be promptly ordered to be placed with the gutter guard system that can be provided. These are ways through which you can protect the drainage system of the house.

It is also important to note whether or not you take your shoes off every time you enter your home. Contaminants can come really easy otherwise. There are always terrible dangers that can also enter flying through your clothes when you have been outdoors. These dust particles get attached to the pockets of your carpet and accumulate as debris over days of laying there and with even more repeated contamination.

The perfect roof compliments the overall structure of the house that you stay in. If you must invest in the grander look of the house then it is essential that you take care of the roofing in really great detail. The roof must be well protected from damage in any case.

If your appointed roofer is experienced, he will be able to advise you to have the best kind of roofing job that you would require for your home. A good roofing company handles a full house roofing in a matured and expert way. There are many experts in Atlanta for seeing you through this purpose. Choose the one that suits you best!

Coil Roofing Nailers..a Review

Pneumatic nailers and staplers are among the most dangerous construction tools used on jobsites, and can cause serious injuries to both the operator and workers nearby if used improperly. All workers should receive proper training on these tools, including instructions about compressor settings, hose connections, and fastening procedures, before being allowed to use them. And all equipment should be checked before use, carefully maintained, and removed from service if there is any question about its safe functioning.

Here is a “Code of Safe Practices” that every employer should review with workers that use pneumatic tools.

Before You Start

* Only allow experienced, trained, and authorized workers to operate pneumatic nailers and staplers.
* Always wear safety glasses.
* Use hearing protection if working with noisy tools or in a restricted space.
* Inspect tools before connecting them to the air supply.
* Check that all tool mechanisms are attached.
* Tighten all screws securely.
* Ensure that all guards are in place.
* Check compressor and pressure settings before connecting tools.
* Check that tools are correctly and securely connected to the air supply hose, and that hoses are in good shape.
* Always handle a tool as if it’s loaded with fasteners (nails, staples, etc.).
* Disconnect tools from the air supply during cleaning or adjustment. Before clearing any blockage or misfire, be sure that depressing the trigger empties all air and releases all pressure from the tool.
* Only use fasteners recommended by the manufacturer.
* Only permit properly trained people or manufacturers to carry out tool maintenance and service.
* Disconnect tools if left unattended. OSHA requires workers to stay within 25 feet of unattended tools, or disconnect them if farther away.

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Coil Roofing Nailer

bosticdh rn46 nailer

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Coil roofing nailer ..a review

By Mike Guertin

Coil roofing nailers are the most abused tools on my jobsite. They withstand blistering rooftop heat under summer sun, take two-story high-dives onto frozen mud in winter, and endure constant grinding as I drag them across 10-grit shingle granules. And that doesnt even account for the grime that builds up inside and outside the tools from working in this merciless environment. So, to say roofing nailers have a tough job is an understatement.
Test Criteria

I field-tested 11 nailersthe Bostitch RN46, Craftsman 18180, DeWalt D51321, Hitachi NV45AB2, Makita AN451, Max CN450R, Paslode 3175-RCU, Porter-Cable RN175A, Ridgid R175RNA, Senco 455XP, and Spotnails VRN45putting them through their turns fastening heavy laminated (aka architectural or dimensional) shingles in cold and moderate weather conditions. While I looked at operational functions (power and recoil, depth-of-drive adjustments, driver blades, and exposure gauges) and ergonomic and durability features (reloading nails, handling, and wear guards), it was power, recoil, and speed that mattered most. At the beginning, middle, and end of the day, I need a nailer that skips across shingles with minimal recoil and flush-drives every nailevery time.
The Driving Force

Power and Recoil. I dont have the gear to objectively test a nailers driving power, so I gauge it with my hammerthe more I have to take my hammer out of my loop to pound down proud heads, the more air pressure I know a nailer needs. Since all the tools in the test specify a pressure operating range of 80120 psi, I set my compressor with an output regulator to 100 psi. I then ran the tank at 110130 for constant air output, which leveled the playing field for all the nailers. Most of my roofs are sheathed with 5/8-inch AdvanTechan exceptionally dense productand I typically install 35-year or better laminated shingles. Like most roofers, I position the shingles and bounce-nail across each course. My speed is greatly influenced by how fast a nailer cycles and how little recoil it has. To maintain top speed, I want little or no recoil so the tool skips across the surface rather than jumping after every nail.

The Max, Hitachi, Senco, DeWalt, Spotnails, Porter-Cable, and Bostitch all drove nails consistently with little recoil. The Makita and Ridgid were noticeably less powerful with medium recoil, leaving occasional proud nail heads. The Craftsman and Paslode needed more power for my roofs. Even with the depth-of-drive dialed to the max and the compressor regulated at 100 psi, the Craftsman couldnt set all the nails on a full row of shingles and the recoil was too strong while bump-nailing. The Paslode recoiled a little less but was also underpowered, and without a depth adjustment there was no way to increase drive depth to compensate.
Photo: David Sharpe
The nose-mounted depth-of-drive adjustment on the Bostitch is easy to dial-in.

Drivers. Drivers are among the most expensive replacement parts on a roofing nailer, and as they wear down nail heads dont set flat. The good news is that you can grind a driver two or three times before it becomes too short and needs replacing.

Learn more at the website in the resources below.

Bamboo Bench tops The Better Alternative

Every household home deserves a spectacular bench top, but have you ever considered bamboo instead of the typical pricey granite or marble?

Between wooden bench tops and marble bench tops there is a common annoyance for both. Marble bench tops, although provide a classy look to a kitchen can be extremely cold, particularly in winter. Wooden bench tops although make a kitchen look cozy and warm can become easily marked and damaged by heat and heated products. However, bamboo bench tops provide the perfect balance between marble and wood. Warm in winter, cool in summer and undamaged by heat, they are the perfect choice for your kitchen.

Bamboo bench tops are highly cost effective, but that doesnt mean quality is substituted. Brighten up any dull kitchen with this natural product and create a spectacular looking kitchen. The nodes on the bamboo plank accentuate the bamboo stalk and will add a beautiful natural glow to your kitchen.

Besides the aesthetical benefits, bamboo bench tops are extremely practical, durable and strong. Save money on coasters and mats, as bamboo bench tops are able to withstand heat. Move any hot pan or directly from your stove to your bamboo bench top without leaving a single mark. As the actual bamboo plant is not affected by heat or cold; neither is its product. Even areas that experience constant water exposure such as the sink will not harm your bench top. Although not completely proof, bamboo bench tops are fairly able to withstand scratching as well.

As our bench tops come in solid raw bamboo planks to prevent damage via transport, simply seal with any clear varnish found in any hardware store. Once sealed if there is a large build up of scratches over time simply sand it down and re-varnish for a brand new looking bench top.

Our bench tops are also safe from warping and shrinking and would make a cost effective, stunning but practical edition to your kitchen.

If interested, please visit our website.

Small Bathroom Design Ideas

Like most homeowners you probably wish you had a larger more luxurious bathroom in your home. If adding any more square footage is out of the question there are some design ideas that can make your small bathroom at least look and feel bigger and seem less cramped.

Bathroom remodeling ideas need not be limited to big, luxurious bathrooms that have more generous space and therefore are more able to move around their bathroom fixtures and remodeling plumbing and electrical outlets. Most homes will have small bathrooms and a small bathroom can have a cozy and intimate feel. However too often bathrooms are not looked at as a space where one can spend quality time. As a result many bathrooms are usually just designed to be comfortable and efficient enough.

Regardless of the style you choose to decorate your small bath, it nevertheless will remain a small bath. You can by using by using the right colors and lighting design, create a posh and cozy bathroom retreat.

Theories concerning space enlargement will apply to a bathroom as well as to any other room in your home. For example you might want to consider replacing a large vanity with a more stylish p pedestal sink.

You should cut back on anything that sticks out too much in the bathroom. See if you have any wall shelves, hanging racks, or decorative accessories on the walls that make your bathroom look smaller. Doing this should help make the bathroom feel larger.

You can create the illusion of height in your bathroom through the use of more vertical lines. For instance having bathroom tiles that go all the way to the ceiling or vertical stripes in a wallpaper pattern can also help make a small bathroom seem larger. Lining the edge of your ceiling with a border or a cornice, or even a painted tile around the top of the walls can help to create more visual depth. You can also find that by installing polished tiles and putting up mirrors can result in the area reflecting itself and helping to create the feel of additional square footage for your bathroom.

Letting your walls remain a neutral color like white or grey helps to create an impression of more space. Plus, if you draw the eye upwards, the room will look taller; so add a border around the ceiling to create more vertical depth. Also, installing polished tiles and hanging mirrors lets the area reflect itself, thereby creating the feel of additional square footage.

Lighting is a necessary component in creating an illusion of more space. One way to do this is to combine the mirrors with the lighting fixtures and the color. It is important to make sure that the lighting is spaced out correctly. You should have a strip of light bulbs installed above your main mirror.

Yet another good idea for those with small bathrooms is to replace the bathtub with an upscale shower design. This could be a glass cubicle with mirrors inside or an angled shower enclosure, what is usually called a quadrant corner shower unit.

Folding Chairs and Tables Versatile Furniture

Folding chairs and folding tables are perhaps the most versatile pieces of furniture you can own. This article describes many applications for folding chairs and tables including common uses for folding chair accessories. Even though you folding chairs and tables aren’t what first come to mind when you hear the word ‘furniture’, they have rightfully earned their place in the home, office, convention center, church, school, and practically any other dwelling.

When most people think of furniture, their thoughts turn to the contents of an average furniture store sofas, tables, arm chairs, cabinets, dressers, beds, and lamps. What doesn’t come to mind are the most versatile pieces of furniture folding chairs and tables.

The idea behind folding chairs and folding tables is simple, they are inexpensive, yet after you buy them you may find that they have many more uses than, say, your dining room table. The obvious benefit of folding tables and chairs is their ability to collapse for easy storage. However, having folding chairs and tables handy means you can instantly add seating for guests during the holidays. When your car is not in the garage (and let’s face it, when is it in there?), you can unfold your folding tables and chairs for extra workspace for virtually any household project painting, building small crafts, working with bicycle or small engine parts, building model airplanes, refinishing kitchen cabinets, and the uses don’t stop there.

In addition to being handy around the house, folding chairs and tables make great office companions as well. You never know when you might need temporary help to work through a busy period. It doesn’t make much sense to buy expensive office furniture for someone who will only be working for a couple of weeks. On the other hand, you could just unfold your folding table and set up a folding chair and viola instant work space!

Churches and schools are also great places to use folding chairs and folding tables. A school can make use of the gymnasium as a temporary theatre for a pageant or play by setting up rows of folding chairs. In this case, they may want to use ganging clamps to tie the chairs together in rows so they can’t be rearranged by the guests. This will also ensure than nobody will thoughtlessly block the fire exits by sitting in the aisle. Church weddings also require lots of temporary seating, and folding chairs and tables are an excellent choice. In that case, you may want to consider using table skirts to make them look more like regular furniture. You can hide the legs and framework of the folding tables and chairs using table skirts and chair covers which will make them look great for those all important wedding shots.

Folding chairs and tables come in a wide variety of materials and colors and are available for use indoors or outdoors. This makes it easy to choose the correct folding chairs and tables for the task. For your summer barbeque, you may want temporary patio seating for your guests. There are blow-molded plastic folding chairs and tables that are well suited for outdoor applications such as these. For the office or anywhere else you may be sitting for long periods, you may instead wish to choose folding chairs with padding and a contoured back and seat. Padded folding chairs are typically used only for indoor seating applications.

For large-scale applications of folding tables and chairs, there are folding chair trucks and folding table trucks available. These trucks are made of heavy gauge steel and can usually store 1 to several dozen folding chairs and up to a couple of dozen folding tables. After they are loaded, you can simply cart your folding chairs and tables into storage.

So you see, even though you don’t think of folding chairs and tables when you think of furniture, they are perhaps the most versatile furniture you can own. With so many uses, there is virtually no excuse not to have a couple of extra sets of folding chairs and tables ready to take on whatever your life can throw their way.

This article is (c) copyright 2010 by Shad Storhaug. You may republish this article on your web site or blog as long as you keep both the article body and this bio intact including the copyright notice and all hyperlinks.

How to find the Best Roofing Contractor in Oxford

How to find the best roofing contractor in Oxford (or anywhere)

My Top Tips for hiring a roofing contractor

Before you start do some research on the internet about the roofing materials which are available. There are many types of roofing materials available clay or concrete tiles, slate, roofing shingles, and roofing felts for flat roofs, and and the choice of material will affect the overall budget. For example clay tiles are generally more expensive than conrete tiles. You may also be affected by the type of roofing materials in neighbouring properties. With this knowledge you won’t be going cold into discussions with a contractor about materials to be used.

Start asking friends, neighbours and work colleagues about who they would recommend as a contractor. They may have direct experience of roofing contractors or they may know someone who has such expereince. if they do know about a contractor ask whether the contractor completed the job as expected, and whether they would hire them again. Ask whther they were couryeous and polite. Local Builders’ supply shops, DIY shops and estate agents amy also have some knowledge of possible contractors you can hire. Try not just going to Yellow Pages and picking a contractor at random. In asking for referrals make sure that the job done is comparable with the job you have planned

Contact the contractor. What was your first impression of the contractor? Was the contractor pleasant and courteous? Did the contractor return your call promptly? Did the contractor set up an appointment with you within a reasonable time (usually within 24 hours)? Ask relevant questions such what employer’s liability and insurance they have, how long have they been in business, do they have a particular specialty, how many employees? If time is a priority for you, ask how soon a project could be started.

Meet the contractor and discuss the options. First of all clarify whether you need a complete new roof or whether a repair job is adequate. if it’s a whole new roof discuss the options on roofing materials to be used. Ask the contractor the following questions:

– What warranty will they give? Will they provide a warranty on both parts and labour? How long will the warranty last. For a new roof you would expect a warranty of at least 10 years
– Do they specialise in residential or commercial roofing work?
– How long will the job take? A roof can be replaced in a week or in even less time if they have a large and well organised workforce
– How long have they been in business? Normally you would want one with at least 5 years experience
– What type of roofing styles and colours will they offer? This is where your initial research about roofing materials will come in handy.
– How much will the roofing job cost? Get a written estimate. In talking to diiferent contractors make sure that each estimate is based on the same information so that you are comparing like with like
– What steps will they take to ensure the minimum of disruption while the job is done and to ensure that everything is cleaned up before they leave?
– What steps will they take to ensure the safety of their employees while on your property and the safety of anyone in the vicinity of your property?
– What liability and employer insurance do they have? Get it in writing.
– Do they offer financing schemes or payment through credit card? Will they give discounts for cash payment? How much do they want upfront and how much as each milestone is reached?
– What references will they give for recent and comparable work?

Get this information and a written estimate from at least three contractors. Make sure that the estimates contain the same quality materials; some times the lowest bid is not using the same quality materials.

Do not automatically pick the cheapest estimate. Also if one estimate is significantly higher than the others the chances are that the contractor may not want your business because he is up to his eyes already in work.

Check the references which each contractor has given you. Ask the key questions of the referees. Were the jobs completed to their satisfaction and would they use the same contractor again?

Once you have made your decision, sign a written contract with the contractor. Ensure that the contract specifies the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date and a written warranty. Make sure the contract includes the roofing materials and the brands and colours to be used and any additional work such as replacing guttering. Make sure the contract specifies that the contractor is responsible for cleanup when the job is done and the removal of all waste materials.

Asbestos Lawsuits in Louisiana

In towns and cities throughout the United States, asbestos lawsuits are increasingly prolific as individuals exposed to asbestos twenty and thirty years ago are today developing and dying from mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and extremely lethal form of cancer, in which malignant cells are found in the protective sac covering most of the bodys internal organs. Mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos, takes up to three decades to strike its victims. Those with the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways.

Today, a growing number of mesothelioma lawsuits have succeeded in recovering hundreds of millions in compensation for the tens of thousands of mesothelioma victims. Compensation is paid by the companies that make these asbestos products, and enables victims to cover their medical expenses and to be compensated for their pain and suffering.

A current center of concern for asbestos victims is New Orleans. In the post-Katrina era, New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana is undergoing a boom in construction a business infamous for its use of asbestos products. Post-storm rehabilitations of homes, the related large-scale demolitions, and even just the ubiquitous roofing jobs currently underway are exposing thousands of people to asbestos. Despite these dangers, however, Congress is considering a Bill that would prevent someone who becomes ill with cancer as a result of post-Katrina asbestos exposure from getting financial relief.

The introduction of the Bill is being motivated by calls for tort reform among asbestos-related industries. Financially crippled by increasingly high rewards to asbestos victims, these industries want a cap on their liability. They cite a recent asbestos lawsuit in Louisiana, in which homeowners who purchased asbestos-contaminated fill dirt sued the contractor who sold them the soil, as well as the oil company where the dirt had been removed. Although none of the plaintiffs have yet become sick, a jury awarded them compensatory and punitive damages due to their fear of harm (rather than actual harm). The verdict was upheld by a Louisiana appeals court, which ruled that any exposure to a harmful substance, no matter how slight, justifies a lawsuit.

The new Bill, set for debate by Congress in February, would halt asbestos lawsuits. The Bill is seeking to protect companies with asbestos liability from further lawsuits by paying into a government administered trust fund, which would screen claimants through established medical criteria. Victims would be awarded compensation based on the severity of their illness. The Bill specifically states that the fund would not cover victims of environmental and neighborhood exposure, with the prime example being post-Katrina victims in New Orleans and across Louisiana. The Bill is widely opposed by the medical community, as well as by labor unions and citizens rights activists, particularly in the state of Louisiana.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Built-Up Roofing Systems

Generally, roofs with slants and inclines are favored by most residential and commercial residences. Their natural ability to dispose of rain and snow without having to install substantial amounts of insulation has made them an effective and affordable option.

A built-up roof is an integument made up of alternating layers of tar and asphalt materials. They have been used in the U.S. for almost a century and are usually referred to as tar and gravel roofs, as these are some of the primary materials used in its construction.

Built-up roofing takes coal tar-saturated cotton fabrics and gravel-like materials, like asphalt, to assemble alternating layers of bitumen (tar) and roofing felts or ply sheets directly over the roof decks and insulation. The tar is used to soak into the roofing felt and durably hold all the elements together.

Built-up roofing has been around since the 1840s as a reliable option that was readily available for installing new roofs. All it requires is three essential components: a waterproofing component, a reinforcing component and a surfacing component. Most roofs apply variations of these components to create more durable, waterproof roofs. Some even apply 10 ply sheets to one roof! This helps ensure the roof against potential leaking from entering the home while creating a stable platform for any solar panels or roof gardens installed on the roof.

Built-up roofs are very dependable and work great for many reasons, however, they do have some drawbacks. The maintenance of the roof seems to be the primary concern. Built-up roofs are built flat and as one so when a leak occurs it can be difficult to place the location of it, causing one to have to dismantle the entire roof. 1. In order to avoid major damage, maintenance must take place on the roofing system regularly. Re-asphalting the layers is usually not necessary if the roofing surface is properly cared for. This would include draining the rain that forms on the roof after storms and remodeling the top layer with reflective materials to prevent heat damage.

However, because built-up roofs are flat the task of removing layers are much easier. It also creates flexibility in terms of what you can add to your roofing space, should you so desire. Roofing gardens and solar panels are much more easy to install on flat roofs than traditional sloped rooftops.

Then benefits of this type of roof are great, however, the drawbacks are something to consider. Keep in mind that these roofs require a bit of maintenance and labor, the larger the roof the greater the responsibility for upkeep. If your ultimate goal is to save money, this option would be the most cost-effective.

Roof Shingles Prices – Take Out the Guess Work

Spring is the season for roofing and most of the building supply houses will have sales weekly that offer roofing supplies. Depending on what product you will need the prices can be relatively small to several hundred dollars. Roofing products are pretty versatile and can range from peel and stick roofing shingles to steep roof pitches that come in a roll, asphalt, wood shake, lamented and steel. Steel shingles can even be shaped to resemble wood shake. Steel shingles cost around $58.00 a bundle and three bundles cover 100 square feet.

The most common roofing shingle is an asphalt shingle and they can come in various sizes and tabs. Corning offers a three tab roofing one. A collection of asphalt shingles is normally between $15.49 to $60.00 a bundle depending on the warranty the company offers. Corning even offers an asphalt shingle called the Heritage that is a three tab asphalt tile that gives the illusion of wood shake and is available in various colors to match the exterior of the home’s siding and trim. The Heritage shingle can normally withstand 130 mph and a three bundles should cover 98.4 square feet.

Shake is probably the oldest form of shingle still sold in the United States. Wood shake comes in two sizes, medium and large. The medium wood shake measures 18″ by 7 1/2″ and a bundle normally covers 15′ and costs around $22.00 a bundle depending on the home building store pricing. The large wood shake is 24″ by 10″ and a bundle normally covers 20′ and costs around $35.00 a bundle. Wood shake is also available to complete the hip and ridge of the roof. A bundle cost around $43.00 and covers sixteen linear feet.

A new type of shingle that has recently gained popularity is the laminated asphalt shingle. The laminated asphalt shingle has a 53 year warranty, is algae resistant and is said to withstand winds up to 80 mph. They are reported in the advertisement to be so cheap that the bundle price could not even be listed in the advertisement. The home building stores want you to call or come in for pricing as they feel the they were to low to place in their company ads. These laminated shingles are said to be part of the new green movement and are environmentally friendly. Three bundles weigh 235 lbs and cover 100 square feet.